Hawai’i Fishing Fanatic

Posts Tagged ‘Hawaii County’

In the next three months, I’m hoping to get the word out on gubernatorial candidate, Neil Abercrombie, not only because I’m a big supporter but because as a local fisherman, surfer, paddler, kayaker and environmentalist, I believe he is the best choice to support many of our causes & issues. I know that every candidate can’t be perfect, but taking a look at the other candidates, I feel a sense of despair and that our voices may get lost by the others. I’ve heard his solutions to island problems that we have had for decades and have been impressed by his courage to take on these issues. Take a look at his congressional record on the environment and tell me if you think otherwise.

ENVIRONMENT

In June 1992, Neil Abercrombie and his colleague, the late Rep. Patsy Mink, introduced legislation to preserve a 1400 square mile area in the shallow waters off Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and the Big Island as a National Marine Sanctuary to protect the endangered humpback whale. In November 1992, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary was officially designated, and has become one of 13 sanctuaries in the National Marine Sanctuary System, created under the U.S. Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. Nearly two-°©‐thirds of the North Pacific humpback whale population migrates to Hawaii each winter.

Abercrombie has always believed that Hawaii is defined by a special bond with all the other species on the planet and a profound respect for their right to exist in harmony with the land. His role on the House Committee on Natural Resources has provided the opportunity to be in the forefront of protecting and preserving our natural treasures: the land, the oceans and the creatures in them. He was instrumental in legislation to expand Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island. He introduced and passed the measure creating the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge Expansion on the North Shore of Oahu, and in the 2010 Appropriations Bill for the Department of Interior, was able to help target $7.4M to complete the purchase of the refuge land.

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In the Army’s Compatible Use Buffer program, the Congressman found funding to conserve large tracts of valuable land on Oahu in Waimea, Moanalua Valley, and Pupukea and Paumalu. He also secured House support and passage for legislation and funding for the National Tropical Botanical Garden to continue its operations on Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island, preserving Hawaii’s tropical plant diversity and stemming the tide of extinction.

His concern about the effects of human-°©‐related activity on our marine mammals, led Abercrombie to establish a comprehensive research program, focusing on the use of Sound Navigation and Ranging (Sonar) equipment by the U.S. Navy. Sonar’s powerful sound beams can damage the sensitive hearing of marine mammals — primarily whales and dolphins— and may have even caused some deaths. He has also targeted Department of Defense funds to mitigate the effects of Navy training exercises in the marine environment by updating naval technology to avoid harming marine mammals. Additionally, he authored and introduced legislation to better understand and protect our marine mammals such as the beloved Hawaiian Monk Seal and Humpback Whales in the National Marine Mammal Research Program Act. Finally, Abercrombie also introduced and passed the legislation to ban the practice of shark finning in U.S. waters.

Abercrombie also believes that widespread preventive measures and aggressive response to outbreaks are essential to protect Hawaii’s native species and natural ecosystems from alien and invasive species. In 2004, he requested a hearing in 5 Hawaii by the House Committee on Natural Resources to explore serious invasive species problems in the Hawaiian archipelago. The hearing enabled the Committee, including Rep. Abercrombie, to analyze Hawaii’s efforts and identify areas in which the federal government could assist in the fight against invasive species. He has also helped obtain federal funding to prevent the spread of invasive species and assisted in House passage of legislation to stop the spread and begin the eradication of Guam’s brown tree snake.

As an island state, Hawaii’s most precious resource is clean potable water. In 2005, Abercrombie introduced and won House passage of the Hawaii Water Resources Act to authorize projects: in Kalaeloa, Kealakehe and Lahaina to ensure Hawaii residents have adequate potable water supplies.

However, water can also be a destructive force in the islands. Following the Ka Loko Dam break on the island of Kauai, the Congressman worked to secure passage of the Dam Safety Act, which requires an updated inventory and assessment of dams in the United States. He also supported increased funding for these goals.

You can also decide for yourself, if he’s your candidate, in this recent interview with Sherry Bracken in Kailua-Kona, HI, he speaks on different island issues that are of paramount concern to all of us. The full interview with Part 2 can be found on the AFG2010 Blog by Neenz.

Neil Abercrombie Interview Part 1 from Apachewolf on Vimeo.

I’ll remind you from time to time, but make sure to register to VOTE and make sure to VOTE,  Abercrombie for Governor!

As a volunteer for Neil Abercrombie’s gubernatorial bid, I often get asked, what his feelings are about the deterioration of Hawai’i’s harbors, it’s facilities, and the public’s distrust with state agencies such as the Department of Transportation’s Harbors Division and the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

I know from my time with the campaign, that Neil Abercrombie shares a deep concern for the public that utilize Hawai’i’s state facilities for business and leisure activities. He has visited many different areas of our state and most recently, visited the Honokohau area in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i (Big Island). He shared his thoughts and feelings on what is fast-becoming a formidable issue on the current state of affairs with our harbors and state facilities. You can see his whole transcript at NeilAbercrombie.com:

Honokohau Harbor

by Neil Abercrombie

On a recent visit to Honokohau Harbor, I was appalled, like many residents and small business owners, to see how we’ve let the harbor deteriorate. To make matters worse, I was disappointed to hear about the state’s proposal to raise the parking fees at Honokohau Harbor.

How can we create an additional financial burden for 200 small businesses by raising their parking fees? And how can we expect to charge visitors more money to visit a dangerous and dilapidated harbor with a collapsed pier in a public area that doesn’t provide basic comforts like shade while waiting for boats? The state is only now getting around to a minor capital improvement project that doesn’t address the basic issues.

There has been a collapse of leadership at the highest levels on basic government services from improving our public schools to maintaining our harbors. Raising the parking fees at Honokohau Harbor does not solve the problem. My position is that the parking fees should be set aside. Should they be imposed, when I’m Governor, I will rescind the fee increase until we can prove to the public that their dollars are being well spent.

We should be focusing our efforts on getting federal funds to improve our state’s infrastructure. That will spark revitalization of our economy and generate the business activity that we need. People deserve to feel proud of our harbors and public spaces.

More pictures of the Honokohau visit are on the Big Island for Abercrombie Facebook Page. Mahalo to Abercrombie for Governor supporter, Jean Bevanmarquez. for the additional photos.

Many of you know that I am a big supporter of Neil Abercrombie and during the next few days, the Democratic candidate for governor, former congressman and state legislator will be on the Big Island. He plans to visit several Big Island communities on March 20, 21, 23, and 24 to meet community members and obtain firsthand information on major issues and challenges facing the island residents. I’ll update you folks on other Big Island events as soon as possible.

If you should have any fishing-related or recent (Department of Land and Natural Resources) DLNR issues, please be sure to attend the nearest event and voice your concern/s. The following schedule of his Big Island activities are from the Abercrombie for Governor and Hawaii County Democrats offices:

Saturday, March 20
8 a.m.: Visit to the swap meet in Ocean View
8:45 a.m.: Pancake breakfast at HOVE Community Center.
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Visits to businesses and the Farmers’ Market in Na’alehu.
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.: Pot-luck luncheon and panel discussion on issues facing Ka’u residents at the Plantation House in Pahala.
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.: Visits to businesses and merchants in Na’alehu.
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.: Spaghetti dinner at the Na’alehu Community Center

Sunday, March 21
8 a.m.-9:30 a.m.: No-host breakfast at the Paniolo Restaurant in Waimea
10:00-TBA: Local events and community meetings at the Honoka’a Park Gym and the North Hawai’i Educational Resource Center. (For information, contact Gil Kahele at 987-7958.)

Tuesday, March 23
12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Mauka Rotary Club Luncheon at Teshima’s Restaurant in Kainaliu.
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Visits to local businesses and merchants in South Kona.
4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.: Talk story at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu, focusing on issues important to the South Kona community, including charter schools, food sustainability, and controlling little fire ants. Abercrombie will give opening remarks and will respond to the briefings presented by experts in these areas. The audience will also have an opportunity for one-on-one discussions with the candidate.

Wednesday, March 24
6:45 a.m.-8:00 a.m.: Kona Sunrise Rotary Club Breakfast Meeting at Tante’s Restaurant on Ali’i Drive in Kailua Town.
9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Visits to businesses and merchants on Ali’i Drive and other business districts in Kailua-Kona.
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: North Kohala Rotary Club Luncheon Meeting at Thiebault’s Restaurant in Waimea.
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Visits to businesses located in Waikoloa Village Town Center.

If you are an Abercrombie for Governor 2010 supporter willing to cover the events on Twitter, Facebook or to blog about the Big Island events, please email me (hawaiifishingfanatic@gmail.com) or hit any of the Abercrombie links on Hawaii Fishing Fanatic for contact information.

In the subsequent months, I hope to give you a better picture of Neil Abercrombie and where he stands on fishing, environmental, outdoor and aquatic-related issues.

Mahalo to you all and have a great weekend!!!

Aloha Friday!

I know everyone has plans for Superbowl weekend and football will be the biggest thing in the islands, but if you get a chance, take the ‘ohana out to fish before the Big Game! Like my friend said, the game don’t start till 1:30 cuz! (on Sunday). So there’s plenty time to soak up the rays and catch up on some fishing news.

I found a couple of fishing tidbits during the week and I hope it’ll be useful to many of you:

* If you need a new boat but can’t afford a new one, Usedboats.com, has good deals on a whole bunch of different types of used boats. I’m looking for a possible flats boat that doesn’t harm the environment too much but still economical.

* How about that National Saltwater Registry? A recent article in the Honolulu Advertiser has Hawai’i fishermen talking. Not too sure you know all the details about it? You can check my previous post on the subject here.

* Thinking of snorkeling/scuba diving in a very, very, safe environment then you need to go “snuba-ing,” (is that word?) at the Pacific Beach Hotel in Waikiki. Just make sure not to bring your three-prong (spear) with you before the dive! The Honolulu Advertiser reports:

The Oceanarium is a 280,000-gallon aquarium with more than 450 fish and ray and 72 different species. Two guests dive at the same time, accompanied by an experienced guide, for about 20 minutes.The cost for Pacific Beach Hotel guests is $45 until March 31 and $60 for visitors to the hotel. The dives begin every 30 minutes and are scheduled Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon and from 2 to 5 p.m.

* When I was younger, I always wanted to know how my Hawaiian tutu got that dried ‘opelu (mackerel) to taste so good. Although, I never found out because she passed away soon after our family returned from Okinawa, Japan, I later found out from Big Island ‘ohana and kupuna how it was done. However, for those of you who’ve often wondered what to do and had a grandma like me who had a steel, cage-like “thingamajig” on the porch (drying platform), you now can get a general idea through this website of how it was done.

Don’t forget to check out my other blog, Hawai’i Football Fanatics, for the latest Hawai’i connection to the Superbowl teams, Indianapolis and New Orleans.

Have a great Pau Hana Friday!

Continuation of yesterday’s coverage of the Ho’ike Hoe Wa’a (Canoe Regatta) of Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) schools. My daughter paddles for the Kamehameha Schools Hawai’i (KSH) and is easing herself into the Hawaiian canoe paddling/racing culture. Watching the different island high school participants interact with each other is in complete contrast to O’ahu’s schools. The cooperation and respect for each other from the kids, their parents, paddling coaches, school administrators and Kailua-Kona fishing/recreational/tour businesses was nothing short of amazing in this day and age. This is what the Hawai’i fishing community needs to have more of in our own events. Right on! Big Island!

Thus, a little more pics of the event and a taste of hoe wa’a, Big Island Style!

Mahalo to all that coordinated and participated in the Ho’ike Hoe Wa’a BIIF!

Hui Wa'a Kealakehe on their way to a win!

Hui Wa'a KSH Preparing Canoe for Return Trip Home

Hui Wa'a Pahoa loading their canoe on KSH trailer

Hui Wa'a KSH pule kakou (prayer together) and cheer before returning home

Beautiful sunny days are bountiful on the west side! A little bit of vog but not unbearable. If you thought Kailua-Kona you’re right! Sitting on the pier as ‘ohana and I watch the na keiki o ke kai (children of the sea) in their ho’ike hoe wa’a (canoe regatta) between island schools. My daughter will hopefully be paddling today for Kamehameha Schools Hawai’i.

Kona Daze

Lots of fishing going off on the Kona Coast but hoka (too bad) I have to rest the fishing poles today. Choke (a lot of) boats out in serene waters. Not too windy but just enough to stir up some action. Still any day out in the sun on the Big Island, is definitely better than 20 degrees in the snow!

Kona Regatta

Days like this remind me of Ho’aikane’s song, Kailua-Kona, where you can pretty much do what you want. “Kailua-Kona where the air is clean, Kailua-Kona where the grass is green, Kailua-Kona where the fishing’s fine, Kailua-Kona it will blow your mind!” Awww! Kona Daze! Auwe!

Hoe Wa'a B.I. Style

Right now I’m mobile so I’ll post links and more pics as soon as I can.

Got wind of this from fellow F.B.I. blogger, Damon Tucker, who posted news that a pair of locals who had been scamming tourists for quite some time were arrested by Hawai’i County PD. I happen to catch the tail end of today’s newscast and remembered back in December that Aloha Kayak Co. had problems with illegal vendors. Check it out at KITV.com, “State Cracks Down on Illegal Vendors.”

I love kayak fishing and it hurts to hear these kind of things being done on the Big Island. For those who want to enter the sport, even as tourists, it discourages them from participating. Plus, this kind of news further deters me from venturing out or taking ‘ohana out to other Big Isle fishing spots without worrying about being hassled by hooligans. I’ve heard complaints about illegal vendors strong-arming folks but it seems these two did it very openly like many others without fear. Where’s the cops when you need them?

Take a look at these bruddahs and tell me you wouldn’t pay $5 for parking!

Herman Santiago

Kapahukula Voorhees

Auwe! Big Time to DLNR and Hawai’i County PD for not acting sooner!